Adjustable clamp assembly

ABSTRACT

An adjustable clamp assembly for clamping portable objects to a rack generally mounted to a vehicle body, comprising a sleeve portion for mounting the clamp assembly to the rack and a retention portion comprising an adjustable object retainer for securely clamping the portable object to the rack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is generally directed toward an adjustable clamp assembly for clamping portable objects to a rack mounted to a vehicle body.

More specifically, this invention is directed toward an adjustable clamp assembly for securely and conveniently clamping fragile sheets, particularly glass sheets, to a rack mounted to a vehicle body.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Racks for holding and transporting various portable objects and materials on transport vehicles are well known. Sheet material, in particular sheet glass is commonly transported on a rack designed to hold, support and secure same during transportation thereof. Current rack designs are standard in the trade consisting of an integral unit with vertical and horizontal support members mounted on each side of the truck body. More particularly, racks for sheet glass generally have a base on which the sheets to be transported are mounted, and a first, fixed side against which the sheets lean. A second, removable side is mounted on the rack when the sheets are in place. The second side of the rack carries clamping brackets which can be individually moved toward the first side of the rack to clamp the fragile sheets between them and the first side. Examples of such racks are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,887,231 to Schodorf and U.S. Pat. No. 3,412,867 to Barkow. With the fragile sheets firmly held between the first side of the rack and the clamping brackets, they can be safely transported.

The clamping brackets in widespread use today are of the kind as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,412,867 to Barkow. These clamping brackets are mounted at certain fixed points along vertical stakes on the second side of the rack. Each clamping bracket is normally mounted via a slot on a pin, which pin is fixed on the second side of the rack. The slot allows the clamping bracket to slide toward or away from the first side of the rack. A lock nut on the pin is used to lock the clamping bracket in place preventing movement of the clamp.

While these clamps work quite satisfactorily, their functionality and ease-of-use can be improved. For instance, it may be desirable for the clamp to be fully adjustable along the vertical stakes in order to accommodate various heights of sheet glass. U.S. Pat. No. 2,919,811 to Schodorf addresses the vertical adjustability, but requires a special stake design with integrated rails for receiving the clamp. Further, the glass contact surface of the clamps in use is rather small and rigid, leading to unwanted breakage of the sheet glass caused by forces generated during transport. Still further, the clamp assemblies in use today, are limited to securing sheet materials only. The present invention is designed to avoid this and other disadvantages of known clamp assemblies.

Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a fully adjustable clamp assembly which can be positioned and fastened anywhere along a vertical stake.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fully adjustable clamp assembly that easily mounts to existing stake and rack designs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fully adjustable clamp assembly that provides for secure clamping of portable objects of various sizes and dimensions to a rack.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fully adjustable clamp assembly that provides for secure clamping of sheet material, in particular sheet glass, to a rack.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fully adjustable clamp assembly that provides for a quick-release of the adjustable object retainer that is part of the fully adjustable clamp assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fully adjustable clamp assembly that provides for interchangeable clamping members to accommodate portable objects other than sheet-like materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable clamp assembly for clamping a portable object to a rack having one or more removable vertical stakes, the rack coupled to a vehicle body. The clamp assembly includes a sleeve portion adapted to slidably mount on a stake and having a fastener for securing the sleeve portion on the stake; and an adjustable object retainer rotatable to compressively secure the portable object. The clamp assembly further includes a quick-release mechanism allowing for easy release of the adjustable object retainer compressively securing the portable object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it can be made and used, can be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rack mounted to a vehicle body illustrating how a preferred embodiment of the adjustable clamp assembly is mounted to a vertical stake to securely clamp sheet glass on a rack.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the adjustable clamp assembly, configured to clamp sheet materials.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable clamp assembly shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective cut-away view of the a preferred embodiment of the adjustable clamp assembly, showing the quick-release member in a first position where the threaded portion of the adjustable object retainer and the third partially-threaded bore are not engaged, allowing for straight inward or outward motion of the adjustable object retainer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective cut-away view of the a preferred embodiment of the adjustable clamp assembly, showing the quick-release member in a second position where the threaded portion of the adjustable object retainer and the third partially-threaded bore are engaged, thus requiring a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the adjustable object retainer in order to achieve inward or outward motion.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the coupling portion of the adjustable object retainer, showing a preferred removable padded contact member coupled to the adjustable object retainer in a manner allowing the padded contact member to tilt and rotate independently from the rotation of the adjustable object retainer.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the removable clamping member coupled to the adjustable object retainer, whereby the removable clamping member is a C-clamp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a rack 2 mounted on a vehicle 1. The rack 2 has two opposed sides, one affixed to a side of the vehicle (21) and one adjacent thereto (22). The first side 21 consists of a horizontal bottom shelf 210, a horizontal top member 211 and horizontally spaced-apart vertical posts 212 joining the bottom shelf 210 and top member 211 together. A plurality of vertically spaced-apart horizontal support bars 213 are fastened to the vertical posts 212 over the shelf 210.

The second side 22 of the supporting rack 2 comprises a plurality of vertical stakes 3. The stakes 3 are adapted to be mounted to the first side 21 of the rack 2 between the bottom shelf 210 and top member 211 and to extend generally parallel to the vertical posts 212 but spaced a short distance therefrom, and from the support bars 213 carried by the posts 212. The vertical stakes 3 are removably mounted on the first side 21 of the rack 2. In FIG. 1 each stake 3 has a square profile, but other profile shapes are conceivable. Means, not shown, but widely known in the art, are provided at each end of the stake for removably mounting the stake on both the bottom shelf 210 and the top member 211 of the first side 21.

Each stake 3 carries at least two adjustable clamp assemblies 5 vertically spaced along its length. The clamp assemblies 5 must be mounted to the stakes 3 before the stakes are mounted between the bottom shelf 210 and the top member 211 of the first side 21 of the rack 2.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the assemblage of the adjustable clamp assembly 5. In order to mount the clamp assembly 5 to the stake 3, the sleeve portion 50 is slid onto the stake 3 whereby the receiving channel 501 is configured to receive the profile and dimensions of stake 3. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, both the stake 3 and the receiving channel 501 have a square profile. It is understood, that the receiving channel 501 could also have a round profile to receive a round vertical stake, i.e. the receiving channel can be configured to receive different stake profiles. Thus, by changing the shape of the receiving channel 501 of the sleeve portion 50, the disclosed clamp assembly 5 can easily be retrofitted onto rack and stake configurations currently in widespread use, allowing users to keep their current racks and stakes while, at the same time, benefiting from the greatly improved functionality of the disclosed clamp assembly 5.

After sliding the sleeve portion 50 over the vertical stake 3, the clamp assembly 5 can be securely fastened at any position along the length of the stake 3. The ideal fastening position of the clamp assembly 5 will depend on the dimensions of the sheet glass 4a placed on the supporting rack 2. To securely fasten the clamp assembly 5, the fastener 503, threadedly engaged in a first threaded bore 502, is turned clockwise, thereby compressively engaging the inner surface of the sleeve portion 50 with the outer surface of the stake 3. To slide the clamp assembly 5 up or down along the stake 3 to a new position or in order to remove the clamp assembly 5 from the stake 3, the fastener 503 is turned counterclockwise to decrease the friction between the inner surfaces of the sleeve portion 50 and the outer surfaces of the vertical stake 3.

Coupled to the sleeve portion 50 is a retention portion 51 configured to receive an adjustable object retainer 52 for clamping sheet glass 4a against the support bars 213 of the rack 2. The adjustable object retainer 52 has a handle portion 521 on a first end providing a secure grip when rotating the object retainer 52. The handle portion 521 is preferably made out of a rubber-like material for improved tactile feel.

As better shown in FIG. 6, the second end of the object retainer 52 has a coupling portion 523 configured to receive a removable clamping member 524. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, the clamping member 524 is a padded contact member 524a configured to provide a relatively large padded contact surface for contact with the surface of the sheet glass 4 a placed on the shelf 210 between the first side 21 and second side 22 of the rack 2. In a preferred embodiment the padded contact member 524 a may be mounted to the coupling portion 523 in a manner allowing the object retainer 52 to be rotated independently from the padded contact member 524 a when compressing the padded contact surface of the padded contact member against the surface of the sheet glass 4 a.

In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 the retention portion 51 coupled to the sleeve portion 50, has formed therein an unthreaded bore 512 substantially parallel to the first threaded bore 502 and extending from the front surface to a back surface of the retention portion 51, and an axial chamber 511, extending from a first side wall of the sleeve portion 50, configured to receive a quick-release member 53.

The quick-release member 53, as illustrated in FIG. 3, has an elongated third threaded bore 532, which is partially threaded, wherein the threaded portion is opposite to the user-accessible contact surface 531 of the quick-release member 53.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the proper assembly of the quick-release member 53 inside the retention portion 51. The quick-release member 53 is inserted into the axial chamber 511 of the retention portion 51, whereby the user-accessible contact surface 531 of the quick-release member 53 must extend outside the retention portion 51. The quick-release member 53 and the sleeve portion 50 are coupled by a resilient member 533, preferably a coil spring, allowing two distinct positions of the quick-release member 53.

FIG. 4 illustrates the first position of the quick-release member 53. By pushing the user-accessible contact surface 531 into the axial chamber 511 of the retention portion 51, the quick-release member 53 compresses the resilient member 533, thereby aligning the third partially-threaded bore 532 with the unthreaded bore 512 formed in the retention portion 51. In this first position, the threaded portion of the third partially threaded bore 532 and the threaded portion 522 of the object retainer 52 are not engaging, thus enabling a user to easily and quickly push or pull the object retainer 52 through the aligned bores, without having to rotate the object retainer 52 trough the engaged threads.

FIG. 5 illustrates the second position of the quick-release member 53. By releasing pressure off the user-accessible contact surface 531 of the quick-release member 53, the resilient member 533 decompresses and causes the threaded portion of the third partially-threaded bore 532 and the threaded portion 522 of the object retainer 52 to engage. In this second position the user must rotate the object retainer 52 either a) clockwise, to gradually clamp the sheet glass 4 a between the clamping member 524 and the second side 22 of the rack 2, or b) counterclockwise, to gradually move the clamping member 524 away from the sheet glass 4 a, thus releasing the clamping grip. The threaded engagement of the object retainer 52 and the quick-release member 53 enables a user to make very fine adjustments in the amount of clamping force exerted from the object retainer 52 onto the surface of the sheet glass 4 a. This is especially desirable when clamping the sheet glass 4 a to the rack 2. However, the disengaging of the threaded portion of the third partially-threaded bore of the quick-release member 53 and the threaded portion 522 of the object retainer 52 by compressing the resilient member 533 enables a user to quickly release the clamping force of the object retainer 52 by simply pushing the user-accessible contact surface 531 of the quick-release member 53 with one hand, and, with the other hand, simultaneously pulling back the object retainer 52 by gripping the handle portion 521.

It should be noted that other designs and configurations of the resilient member relative to the quick-release member are conceivable, that are not shown in the drawings, but which would achieve the same or similar results.

Furthermore, a much simpler alternative embodiment of the disclosed clamp assembly 5 is perceivable. Such an alternative embodiment, which is not shown in the drawings, would not have the quick-release member 53 and the unthreaded bore 512 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Instead, the retention portion 51 would have a second threaded bore in place of the unthreaded bore 512. Such second threaded bore would be configured to engage the threaded portion 522 of the object retainer 52 enabling the user to rotate the object retainer 52 either a) clockwise, to gradually clamp the sheet glass 4 a between the clamping member 524 and the second side 22 of the rack 2, or b) counterclockwise, to gradually move the clamping member 524 away from the sheet glass 4 a, thus releasing the clamping grip.

Further still, different designs of removable, i.e., interchangeable, clamping members are also perceivable. The preferred embodiment of a clamping member is best shown in FIG. 6. The clamping member in FIG. 6 is a padded contact member 524 a removably mounted to the object retainer 52 via a coupling portion 523. The padded contact member 524 a having a padded contact surface for contact with the surface of sheet glass 4 a. The coupling portion 523 is configured to receive alternative clamping members. An example of an alternative clamping member is shown in FIG. 7. Instead of a padded contact member, a c-shape clamp 524 b is removably mounted to the object retainer 52 via a coupling portion 523. Such a c-shape clamp could be used to secure portable objects other than sheet-like materials to the rack 2. These other portable objects could include, for example, pieces of scaffolding.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below. 

1. An adjustable clamp assembly for clamping a portable object to a rack having one or more removable vertical stakes, the rack coupled to a vehicle body, the clamp assembly comprising: a sleeve portion adapted to slidably mount on a stake and having a fastener for securing the sleeve portion on the stake; and an adjustable object retainer for securing the portable object.
 2. The adjustable clamp assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the sleeve portion further comprises: a front, a rear, a first side and a second side wall defining a receiving channel for receiving the stake, said front wall having a first threaded bore formed therein, the first threaded bore extending through the front wall to the receiving channel; and wherein the fastener is configured to threadedly engage the first threaded bore, the fastener rotatable to compressively fasten the sleeve portion at a selected position on the stake.
 3. The adjustable clamp assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a retention portion, coupled to the sleeve portion; an adjustable object retainer, having a handle portion on one end, a coupling portion on the opposite end and a threaded portion between said ends, the coupling portion configured to receive a removable clamping member; a second threaded bore formed in the retention portion, substantially parallel to the first threaded bore formed in the sleeve portion, and extending from a front surface to a rear surface of the retention portion, configured to threadedly engage the threaded portion of the adjustable object retainer.
 4. The adjustable clamp assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a retention portion, coupled to the sleeve portion; an adjustable object retainer, having a handle portion on one end, a coupling portion on the opposite end and a threaded portion between said ends, the coupling portion configured to receive a removable clamping member; an axial chamber formed in the retention portion, the axial chamber having an opening perpendicular to the first side wall of the sleeve portion; an unthreaded bore formed in the axial chamber of the retention portion, the unthreaded bore being substantially parallel to the first threaded bore formed in the sleeve portion, and extending from a front surface to a rear surface of the retention portion, configured to receive the adjustable object retainer; a quick-release member configured for slidable insertion in the axial chamber, the quick-release member having a user-accessible contact surface projecting from the axial chamber, a bottom surface and a third partially-threaded bore formed therein; and a resilient member coupling the bottom surface of the quick-release member to a portion of the first side wall of the sleeve portion: 1) a first position of the quick-release member compressing the resilient member to align the third partially threaded bore with the unthreaded bore for receipt of the adjustable object retainer; and 2) a second position of the quick-release member releasing compression of the resilient member to threadedly engage the threaded portion of the third partially-threaded bore and a threaded portion of the adjustable object retainer.
 5. The adjustable clamp assembly as defined in claims 4 and 5, wherein the removable clamping member is a cushioned pad removably coupled to the coupling portion of the adjustable object retainer, whereby a clockwise rotation of the adjustable object retainer causes increasing compression of the cushioned pad against the surface of a portable object positioned on the rack, thereby clamping the portable object between the cushioned pad and the rack.
 6. The adjustable clamp assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein the portable object is a sheet-like material.
 7. The adjustable clamp assembly as defined in claims 4 and 5, wherein the removable clamping member is a C-shaped clamp removably coupled to the coupling portion of the adjustable object retainer for clamping the portable object.
 8. An adjustable clamp assembly for clamping a portable object to a rack having one or more removable vertical stakes, the rack coupled to a vehicle body, the clamp assembly comprising: a sleeve portion adapted to slidably mount on a stake, the sleeve portion including a front, a rear, a first side and a second side wall defining a vertical channel, said front wall having a first threaded bore formed therein, the first threaded bore extending through the front wall to the receiving channel; a fastener configured to threadedly engage the first threaded bore, the fastener rotatable to compressively secure the sleeve portion at a selected position on the stake; a retention portion coupled to a first side wall of the sleeve portion, the retention portion having an axial chamber and an unthreaded bore formed therein, the axial chamber extending from a first side wall portion of the sleeve portion to a side surface of the retention portion, the unthreaded bore substantially parallel to the first threaded bore and extending from a front surface to a back surface of the retention portion; an adjustable object retainer configured to engage the unthreaded bore, the adjustable object retainer having a handle portion on one end, a coupling portion on the opposite end and a threaded portion in between, the coupling portion configured to receive a removable clamping member, the adjustable object retainer rotatable to compressively secure the clamping member against the portable object; a quick-release member configured for slidable insertion in the axial chamber, the quick-release member having a user-accessible contact surface projecting from the axial chamber, a bottom surface and a third partially threaded bore formed therein; a resilient member coupling the bottom surface of the quick-release member to the first side wall of the sleeve portion, the resilient member having a first and a second position: 1) in a first position the quick-release member compresses the resilient member to align the third partially threaded bore with the unthreaded bore for receipt of the adjustable object retainer; 2) in a second position the quick release member releases compression of the resilient member to threadedly engage the threaded portion of the third partially threaded bore and the threaded portion of the adjustable object retainer allowing the adjustable object retainer to be rotatable to compressively secure the clamping member against the portable object.
 9. A method for clamping a portable object to a rack having one or more removable vertical stakes, the rack coupled to a vehicle body, the method comprising the steps of: sliding an adjustable clamp assembly over a stake and into a selected position for clamping the portable object; fastening the clamp assembly to the stake at the selected position; positioning the portable object about said rack; and clamping said clamp assembly to said object thereby securing the portable object. 